Most definitely Clyde.
Last night would’ve been the perfect opportunity to ask him had she been thinking with her head instead of her heart. She sighed and glanced at the mirror one final time before leaving her room. Next time she was alone with him, she’d be sure to bring it up.
Luna found her parents and Emily in the sitting room, gathered for morning tea. As soon as she settled beside Emily on the midnight-blue couch, Angie clapped her hands. Holding in a groan, Luna forced herself to look attentive, even though she wished she had stayed in her room—orat the very least, snuck out the front door. Anything to avoid Angie’s sharp, pitchy voice.
“Now that Luna’s finally graced us with her presence, we can discuss your gowns for the ceremony,” Angie announced, immediately setting Luna’s teeth on edge.
Darius made a grunting noise and gulped down the remaining contents of his cup before excusing himself, mumbling something about a meeting he needed to get off to—an obvious lie—but his disinterest and following exit did not faze Angie.
In a matter-of-fact tone, she continued, “The seamstress has sent word that she is far too busy to come to the palace, with everyone needing new dresses for the unexpected ceremony, we will have to go to her. I’ve booked a fitting for you, Emily. It’ll be tomorrow afternoon, and Luna—you’re so close in size we’ll use Emily’s measurements for your dress.”
Great.Another thing that Luna wasn’t allowed to do. She should have seen it coming, she wasn’t allowed to do anything. Odd though . . . If it was safe enough for her to go to the protection ceremony, then it should be safe enough for her to go to a seamstress, right? With the note’s message freshly rattling in her brain, she could almost feel imaginary shackles around her wrists.
Angie reached over and placed a hand on Luna’s knee. “Don’t look so glum. You will still be absolutely beautiful, I’ll make sure of it.”
Luna offered her mother a half-smile. If only Angie knew it wasn’t beauty that Luna cared about or wanted. She bit down on the inside of her cheek. There was little point in explaining herself though, her mother wouldn’t understand. She was too focused on her own agenda for her daughters’ futures and their rank in society.
Emily finished her tea before the pair got ready to go see their shared tutor. They were changing out of their household slippers into their shoes when Angie asked, “Did you both get your studying done?”
“Of course,” Emily replied. “I stayed up late and went over every topic at least twice.”
Luna’s eyes hit the ceiling. Of course, she had.
“Luna?”
“Almost . . .”
Angie pinched the bridge of her nose, her eyes closing as she sighed. “Why can’t you be more like Emily . . .” Luna’s body tensed, bracing for what was coming next. “Even growing up in the country, I kept on top of my studies and look where I am now.” She called out to her husband with a loving smile, “Foreverhappy.” Angie’s gaze then snapped back to Luna, her eyes boring into her, pleading for her to listen, as if that’s all Luna needed to do to have her life improve. “Being able to hold a conversation is only one of the many necessary skills a noblewoman should possess. However, being able to keep up with a conversation is how you earn respect.”
Luna forced herself to hold her tongue. These lectures were so predictable it was almost laughable—except Luna didn’t find it funny at all. Once Angie was done, Luna silently whipped open the door, eager for escape.
William and a guard that Luna didn’t know, waited outside for her; they bowed as soon as they saw her.
“Two guards?” she asked.
Normally, it was either Clyde or William who escorted her.
“The king has increased security,” William replied, shrugging.
Her eyebrows knitted together, wrinkling her forehead. The only reason she had guards assigned to her was for protection, or rather to ensure she followed her restrictions. If the king truly thought the palace was in danger, then wouldn’t he need the extra guards elsewhere? Why have two guards trailing after a lowly noblewoman? She wasn’t the only one who needed to be kept safe.Or safekeeping. She shook her head, banishing the intrusive thought. That note from last night was really getting to her.
Several servants stood off to the side, ready to shade Luna from the sun. The second they saw her, they jumped into action. Two servants were in front of her, four walked tightly beside her, and two followed closely behind—all holding their umbrellas proudly overhead. William led the group, while the other guard followed behind and they slowly made their way to the academic building.
Once they reached it, the entourage waited outside. Inside, numerous individual study quarters were connected by one long hallway, which eventually led directly to the Great Library.
The narrow hallway was filled with a loud hum, and words from the different tutors blended together, giving Luna the beginnings of a dull headache. Every noble family was given their own tutor, and they each taught their pupils in separate rooms of this building. Most noblewomen stopped taking classes once they turned eighteen, or earlier if they got married. Despite Emily and Luna being over that age, Angie insisted the girls stay in class to keep their wits about them; she believed there was power in being educated.
As Luna walked, something tugged at her, whispering that something wasn’t right.
Slowing her pace, she glanced over her shoulder.
She froze as shadows lifted off the walls, shifting like mist across the floorboards towards her as though tracking every step.
Her breath stilled.
Only one being could call upon shadows like that.
Had he come to finish her off?
